CompletedNot Applicable

HI-Light Pilot Trial for Vitiligo: Hand Held NB-UVB for Early or Focal Vitiligo at Home

United Kingdom29 participantsStarted 2012-02

Plain-language summary

This study is a small pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing hand-held NB-UVB light devices with placebo devices. These devices will be used by the participants to treat their vitiligo at home for a period of four months. The main purpose of the trial is to provide feasibility data that can be used to inform the design of a future multi-centre RCT of these devices. Two hand-held UVB devices with similar manual operating system are being tested during this pilot study. This trial will help the investigators to establish which device is likely to be best for the main trial. Participants will be approached in a variety of ways (through secondary care, primary care and through direct advertising). Potential participants who contact the co-ordinating centre expressing an interest in the trial will be given more information about the trial, checked for preliminary eligibility, and sent an appointment for a screening visit at the closest recruiting hospital (Nottingham or Leicester). This screening visit will be conducted by a research nurse, but a dermatologist will also be present in order to confirm the diagnosis of vitiligo and to confirm the participant's suitability for UVB treatment at home. If eligible and willing to take part in the trial, participants will provide written informed consent and baseline data will be collected. In order to define the starting dose to be used when treating the vitiligo, a minimum erythema dose (MED) test will be conducted. An educational session will be provided by the research nurse outlining how to use the devices, how to assess side-effects of the treatment and how to complete the treatment diary. It is anticipated that the screening visit and educational session will take place on the same day and may take up to 1.5 hours. On the following day, a brief visit to the hospital will be required in order to examine the skin and read the MED results (if more convenient, the educational session may be delivered at this time). Once this has been done, participants will be given the devices to use at home - treatment is applied 3 times per week on alternate days. They will be followed up by telephone at week 1, week 2 and week 12 - in order to provide support and to monitor side-effects. Participants will be asked to keep a treatment diary that records when the treatment has been used and records side-effects experienced. Emergency contact details will be provided in case of urgent medical need. Participants will continue with treatment at home for the 16-week trial period. Two further hospital visits will take place in order to record outcome data

Who can participate

Age range

5 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants with a diagnosis of vitiligo confirmed by dermatologist. Participants with focal disease, less than 25% of body surface area. * Age: children and adults (no upper age limit). The child has to be older than 5 years old and/or mature enough to understand that the eyes must be kept closed, and to stay still for the duration of treatment. * No therapy for vitiligo in the previous 2 weeks and no other vitiligo treatment during the trial other than as per trial protocol. * Participants with both spreading and stable disease * Participants able to give informed consent. We will aim to treat all vitiligo lesions, however the participant (and parent/legal guardian if the participant is a child) and research nurse will agree at the beginning of the trial if there are any lesions participants would not want to be treated, such as on non exposed sites or areas difficult to reach to treat, e.g. back. Exclusion Criteria: * Segmental vitiligo * Universal vitiligo * Previous history of skin cancer * Recent or concurrent radiotherapy * Photosensitivity * Use of immunosuppressive or photosensitive drugs * Pregnant or lactating women * Any major medical co-morbidities * Vitiligo lesions on genitalia should not be treated

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Proportion of eligible participants, willing to be randomised.

Timeframe: 4 to 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01478945

SponsorUniversity of Nottingham

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2012-09

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Vitiligo trials